THE formula might look a bit different with the defence and running game carrying the Kansas City Chiefs. But the results are awfully familiar as the two-time defending champions keep knocking off teams — especially the San Francisco 49ers.

Patrick Mahomes overcame two interceptions to deliver a few big plays with his feet and the Chiefs remained the league’s only undefeated team, beating the 49ers 28-18 on Sunday in a Super Bowl rematch.

“I just don’t think it’s normal for what you’ve seen from us because there’s not a lot of passing touchdowns,” Mahomes said after going back-to-back games without a TD pass for just the second time in his career.

“There’s been a lot of turnovers, especially by me. I think it’s just showing the versatility of our team. It’s not just about me, it’s not just about the stats and the light show and stuff like that. It’s about playing team football and I believe if we continue to work, we’ll get better offensively throwing the ball down the field.”

The Chiefs (6-0) ran for a season-high 184 yards and got four TDs on the ground for the first time since the 2018 play-offs against Indianapolis. The defence did the rest with three interceptions against Brock Purdy and the 49ers (3-4) on a day when Mahomes had his second fewest yards passing ever (154) in a game he didn't leave injured.

Mahomes made his best plays without throwing the ball. He had a 33-yard scramble where he avoided Dee Winters by stopping near the sideline and then continuing for more yards. That set up a 1-yard scramble on fourth-and-goal when he lowered his shoulder to knock over hard-hitting rookie safety Malik Mustapha at the goal line.

The game came with a potentially heavy price for San Francisco. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk was carted off after getting hit on his right knee while making a catch late in the first half. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the team fears that Aiyuk tore his ACL.

Aiyuk’s absence proved crucial late in the third quarter when the 49ers were driving with a chance to erase a 14-12 deficit.

Purdy threw an off-target pass to backup receiver Ronnie Bell, leading to an interception by rookie Chris Roland-Wallace. The Chiefs then turned that into a touchdown thanks to Mahomes’s two runs.

Mahomes finished 16 for 27 for 154 yards and has eight interceptions and six passing touchdowns this season. But that has been enough for Kansas City to become the 10th defending Super Bowl champion to start the following season with six straight wins.